Qian Xunji's Mood Was Like a Drop Tower

[...]

[Bonded person (1): Qian Renxue; current status: none]

[Bonded person (2): Huo Yuhao; current status: none]

Looking at the information on the panel, Qian Renchuan pursed his lips helplessly.

Sigh.

The second and third were both stuck in class on the training ground, so the system had provided no status returns at all.

He was so close.

He could have broken through to level twenty-six!

But on second thought...

Even if his Soul Power really had reached level twenty-six...

Without a Soul Ring, he still couldn't complete a true breakthrough.

"Qian Xunji!"

"You're the one who really can't mind your own business."

"Just because you got caught in the rain, you have to tear up your children's umbrellas too?"

"You spent your whole life working yourself to the bone, so you can't stand seeing your children take it easy?"

"Figures. Parents don't have to pass an exam..."

Qian Renchuan couldn't help grumbling aloud.

If Qian Xunji hadn't forced him into this Spirit Academy...

Qian Daoliu probably would have taken them to the Star Dou Great Forest to find Soul Rings in the next couple of days.

Then he wouldn't have ended up in this awkward position, with a bunch of brats challenging him and getting in his face.

Still...

"Ah..."

A yawn escaped him.

Qian Renchuan really was getting sleepy.

He pulled the blanket over his head and promptly fell fast asleep.

But Qian Renchuan, already asleep, could never have imagined that the fallout from today's fight on the training ground was only just beginning.

Spirit Academy.

Inside the Chief's Office.

Several Academy Chiefs had gathered to hear Instructor Chen's report.

When they heard that six-year-old Qian Renxue had easily defeated a level-twenty-five genius from the Elephant Armor Sect through sheer fighting skill, they could just about keep their composure.

After all, Qian Renxue was famously diligent.

Since the age of two, she had regularly gone to the Worship Hall for instruction from the Grand Priest.

And rumor had it that the Grand Priest doted on this granddaughter most of all.

It was only natural for the Grand Priest to teach her some fighting skills in private.

But when they heard that Qian Renchuan had sent a level-twenty-one Tool Soul Master flying, hammer and all, with a single punch...

The chiefs completely lost their composure.

Every one of them was stunned.

"This..."

"Instructor Chen, are you sure you saw it right?"

"The Eldest Young Master doesn't even have a Soul Ring. How could he defeat a Soul Grandmaster with two Soul Rings?"

Instructor Chen nodded repeatedly.

He was still shaken.

"I found it hard to believe at first too, but that's what happened."

The chiefs exchanged looks.

For a moment, the entire office fell deathly silent.

"How is that possible?"

One chief slammed the table and sprang to his feet.

"The Eldest Young Master is famously lazy. Since awakening his Martial Soul, he hasn't meditated for even a single day."

"There's no way he's trained in any fighting skills!"

"Exactly."

Another chief drew in a sharp breath and joined in with a bitter smile.

"Instructor Chen, you don't understand. We were all prepared."

"Prepared to report to our superiors that the Eldest Young Master had been beaten black and blue and left in a sorry state."

"And now you're telling us he sent a Soul Grandmaster with two Soul Rings flying with one punch?"

"That's a tale from the heavens!"

Instructor Chen spread his hands, his face bitter.

"Chiefs, I saw it with my own eyes. There's no mistake."

"The force behind that punch was terrifying. It was nothing but an explosion of physical strength, without a single fancy trick."

The chiefs fell silent again.

After a brief moment of shock, the chief in the main seat made an immediate decision.

"This changes everything."

"The Eldest Young Master has displayed such terrifying physical strength. Those above must be informed at once."

"I'll report this personally!"

Inside the resplendent Pope's Palace.

Qian Xunji sat high upon the Papal Throne, his gaze sweeping imperiously over the hall.

Below him, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan had just received an urgent report from Spirit Academy. His face alight with excitement, he told Qian Xunji everything that had happened on the training ground.

"What did you say?"

Qian Xunji was stunned.

He shot to his feet, eyes wide.

"Yue Guan."

"Say that again!"

"You're telling me that on that unfilial boy's first day at the academy, he sent a level-twenty-one Soul Grandmaster flying with one punch?"

"How is that possible? He hasn't even hunted for a Soul Ring!"

Yue Guan knelt on one knee, equally excited.

"Your Holiness, it's absolutely true!"

"The Academy Chief sent word personally. Instructor Chen saw it clearly at the scene!"

"The Eldest Young Master didn't just send his opponent flying with one punch. When the man used his second Soul Skill, the Eldest Young Master dodged every attack as though taking a leisurely stroll!"

"That level of perception and physical strength far surpasses any Soul Grandmaster of his level!"

"Your Holiness, the Eldest Young Master..."

"He's a peerless prodigy!"

At that confirmation...

Qian Xunji stood rooted to the spot.

Then the corners of his mouth began to rise.

"Hahahaha!"

"Good!"

"Very good!"

At last, he could no longer hold back his laughter. He laughed with delight, the sound echoing through the cavernous hall.

Then...

He strode down the steps.

He clapped a hand heavily on Yue Guan's shoulder, his eyes full of approval.

"Yue Guan, Yue Guan, that idea of yours worked wonders!"

"You and Ghost Douluo truly are my Crouching Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix!"

"I knew it! How could a son of mine, Qian Xunji, really be a good-for-nothing who only eats and waits to die?"

"Sending that unfilial boy to spend time with those proud geniuses was the right choice."

"The challenge from his peers finally sparked his competitive spirit!"

"The noble blood of my Angel Family flows in his veins, after all!"

At that moment...

Qian Xunji was in excellent spirits.

All his previous anger and disappointment in Qian Renchuan vanished like smoke.

Then something occurred to him, and he hurriedly asked, his voice full of eager anticipation.

"Yue Guan, tell me this. Now that the boy's competitive spirit has been awakened..."

"Is he out on the training ground working up a sweat?"

"Has he finally started training with all his might?"

Faced with Qian Xunji's eager barrage of questions...

The excitement froze on Yue Guan's face.

Across his forehead...

A fine sheen of cold sweat broke out.

He swallowed hard, then forced himself to answer, stumbling over the words.

"Well..."

"Your Holiness..."

"The Eldest Young Master..."

Qian Xunji frowned deeply. Seeing Yue Guan hesitate like this, he felt a flicker of dread.

"Why are you stammering?"

"Just say it!"

Yue Guan trembled, lowered his head, and blurted out...

"The Eldest Young Master..."

"After he threw that punch..."

"He yawned and said he was going back to catch up on sleep."

"Then..."

"Then he turned around and went straight back to the dormitory to sleep. Even Instructor Chen couldn't stop him..."

Inside the hall...

The air went still once more.

The smile froze on Qian Xunji's face, and the corners of his mouth twitched violently.

His chest began rising and falling sharply.

"Sleep?"

"What the hell?"

"He went back to sleep again?"

Qian Xunji gritted his teeth in fury. His joy was doused by a bucket of icy water, chilling him to the bone.

"That little bastard!"

"He really, truly is mud that won't stick to a wall!"